Standard Unit of Measure

Units of measure. We use them every day. There are different standards, but they all relate to each other because an inch is an inch and will always be 2.54 centimeters. I stated it that way because I’m a U.S. American, and we don’t seem to be smart enough to fully adopt the metric system like the rest of the world. Even the English aren’t using English units as much these days. I still can’t figure out why it’s so much harder for me to multiply by tens than it is to multiply by dozens or 16’s or 5,280’s.

But this is not a commentary on the state of U.S. mathematics education.

Why do we use these standards? Because we need to measure our everyday activities against something that is unchanging and inherently true. We have to know that we are running 5 kilometers or buying a gallon of milk or losing 5 kilograms of body weight. Otherwise such activities would be meaningless. They would have no value because we wouldn’t understand the extent of what we have done.

While we can’t measure relationships and life change with aforementioned units, we do need some standard against which we measure ourselves. If you think you don’t, try glancing at magazine covers in the grocery store aisle for a standard of beauty, wealth, or popularity. Granted, not all of us are trying to achieve superstar status. But that unit of measure – whether it be a billionaire businessperson, super model, or singer – is a standard we as humans in general have set up for ourselves. We want to know how we measure up to something. If we don’t, there is no satisfaction. If we don’t, there is no improvement, either.

Because we both need and want some standard for our lives, what should our standard be?See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
1 John 3:1-3

Our standard is Christ. To be Christ-like, we must know what Christ is like.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:Who, being in very nature God,did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;rather, he made himself nothingby taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man,he humbled himselfby becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:5-8

That is who Christ is, and that is how we are to interact with each other.

So we know what is our standard and we know how we should treat our neighbors, but how do we measure our situations in life? Since everyone’s story is different, and everyone’s journey leading up to where we are in this moment is different, is there a standard?

I’m currently reading a book called, “Calm My Anxious Heart” by Linda Dillow. In chapter 10, on dealing with the “What Ifs” in life, I found this quote:

“Am I going to judge God by the circumstances I don’t understand or judge the circumstances in light of the character of God?”

and if He remains God even if the worst happens, I have no reason to worry.

Against what standard are you measuring your self, your circle, and your circumstances?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hello! I'm Faith. I'm a verbal processor who wants to love the Lord and love people with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. I write to think and think to write. I don't drink coffee. I am a dogless dog lover. I enjoy hosting large parties in my home, and I enjoy being alone. Join me in looking to Him and pursuing A Radiant Face.